AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2022: Question 3

7 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Answer questions about static electricity involving charging by friction, electrostatic forces between charged rods, electric field patterns, and factors affecting electrostatic force between spheres.

Practise this question

Question

A multi-part physics question about static electricity. Figure 3 shows a plastic rod being rubbed with a cloth, with sub-questions testing understanding of electron transfer, charge types, forces between like charges, electric field diagrams for a negatively charged sphere, and the effect of distance on electrostatic force between spheres.
Question text

03 Figure 3 shows a plastic rod being rubbed with a cloth.

The plastic rod becomes negatively charged.

Figure 3

03.1 Complete the sentences.

Choose answers from the box.

Each answer may be used once, more than once or not at all.

[2 marks]

electrons neutrons protons

The plastic rod becomes charged because it gains .

The cloth also becomes charged because it loses .

03.2 What charge is left on the cloth?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

A negative charge

A neutral charge

A positive charge 9

03.3 The negatively charged plastic rod is put near another negatively charged plastic rod

that is hanging from a string.

Figure 4 shows the two rods.

Figure 4

What force is exerted on the two rods?

Tick ( ) one box.

Give a reason for your answer.

[2 marks]

A force of attraction

A force of repulsion

There is no force

Reason

03.4 There is an electric field around any charged object.

Which diagram shows the electric field pattern around a negatively charged sphere?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

03.5 In which position do two charged spheres experience the greatest electrostatic force?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

A

B

C

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme for question 3, showing correct answers for parts 03.1 through 03.5 including terms like 'electrons', 'positive charge', 'force of repulsion' with reasons, the correct electric field diagram pointing inwards, and sphere arrangement A.

Question 3

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

03.1 electrons 1 AO1

4.2.5.1

electrons 1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.2 a positive charge 1 AO1

4.2.5.1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.3 a force of repulsion 1 AO1

4.2.5.1

the rods have the same charge dependent on scoring first 1

or marking point

the rods are both negatively

charged

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.4 1 AO1

4.2.5.2

– HYSICS – –

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.5 1 AO1

A 4.2.5.2

Total Question 3 7

How to answer it

Static Electricity & Electric Fields Study Guide

AQA GCSE Physics — Paper 1

What this question tests

This question assesses your understanding of static electricity, charging by friction, the movement of electrons, charge interaction rules (repulsion and attraction), electric field line directions, and how distance affects electrostatic force strength.

Part 03.1: Charging by Friction

✅ Correct Answers

The plastic rod becomes charged because it gains electrons .

The cloth also becomes charged because it loses electrons .

Marks: 2

💡 Key Knowledge

  • Only electrons (negative charge) move when objects are rubbed together. Protons and neutrons are locked in the nucleus.
  • Insulators like plastic cannot conduct charge away, so static charge builds up on them.

❌ Common Errors

Students frequently lose marks by writing "protons" or "neutrons". Remember: protons never transfer during standard electrostatic charging!

Part 03.2: Charge on the Cloth

✅ Correct Answer

Tick: A positive charge

Marks: 1

💡 Key Knowledge

Since the cloth lost negative electrons, it is left with more positive protons than negative electrons, resulting in an overall positive charge.

Part 03.3: Forces Between Charges

✅ Correct Answers

Tick: A force of repulsion

Reason: The rods have the same charge or the rods are both negatively charged.

Marks: 2

🧠 Exam Technique

This is a dependent mark question. To get the second mark for the reason, you must have ticked "repulsion" first. Always link your physical explanation directly to the charges involved.

❌ Common Errors

Saying "they repel because they are negative" is fine, but simply saying "like charges repel" without mentioning the specific negative charge can sometimes miss specific context if required. State clearly that both are negative.

Part 03.4: Electric Field Patterns

✅ Correct Answer

Tick: The first diagram (where arrows point towards the negatively charged sphere).

Marks: 1

💡 Key Knowledge

  • Electric field lines show the direction of force on a positive test charge.
  • For a negative charge, arrows point inwards (towards the centre).
  • For a positive charge, arrows point outwards.

Part 03.5: Strength of Electrostatic Force

✅ Correct Answer

Tick: A (The two spheres touching or closest together)

Marks: 1

💡 Key Knowledge

The electrostatic force between two charged objects gets stronger as the distance between them decreases (inverse-square relationship). Therefore, the spheres closest together experience the greatest force.

Topics

Physics · P2: Electricity

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2022. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.